Brake mechanism for motor vehicles



F. A. Bow/ER BRAKE MEGHANISMFOR MOTOR VEHICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Swim-VITO@ Filed Feb. '7

.w o@ w 5%, m( m Y M @t g employed, and in `which the -retarding effect 1s produced hy orcing a @Familial COR- PGEQTIUH, 'F ETRET, IIIHIGAN, A CORPORTION OF DELAWARE,

lZRiIE EGR .MOTR VEHICLES.

application filed February i320. Serial No. 356,869.

To all who m t may concern.'

known that l, Fenomeno Bowen, a citizen ot the YUnited States, and a resident of illint, county of Genesee. and State ot' Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Brake Mechanism for Motor Vehicies, of Which the.' followinI is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, such. will enahleothers skilled in the art to 'which the invention relates to make use the same, reference being made therein to the accompanyinp,F drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to brake mechanism for automobiles, motor driven 'trut-lis, and similar self-propelled vehicles; and partie` ularly to brake mechanism of the'type or class wherein brake drums secured one to each. of the driving Wheels ot the vehicle are braking or brake band or equivalent member which is restrained from rotary movement into frictional engagement with the peripheral sui*- face of each of said drums.

Heretofore, and particularly in the case of motor driven 'vehicles in which long'side springs are employed at the rear end ot the vehicle to thereby secure a, low hung body as in the Well-known Hotchkiss, cantilever and similar methods of springy ,suspension and arrangement, the hralre operating or pull rods 'through which the brakes are applied have orlinarily heen so disposed that the connections between their rear ends and the immediate lorale applying mechanisms or levers have above the axle housing of the vehicle, and at a point quite remote from the axle, which has resulted in the communication of vibratory motion to the hrake applying pedal due to movement ot the hotly relative to the axle of the vehicle; such vihratory or ,vohlolingz motion in the brake applying;r pedal when the brakes are oliq often being' et suiiicient extent, and of such a character to cause momentary and frequent application of the brak-es, and the same being; due primarily tothe roughness ot the road alongr `which the vehicle is travel ing. ln someicases it has been proposed to reduce this vihratory motion of 'the lira'rc applying;- pedal by turning! the brake mechanism up side down which resort, while it brings the points ot connection between the separate pull rods through vlwhich the brakes -satisfactory are applied and the brake applying levers nearer the axle tube or housing of the vehicle in the case of many forms of ln'ake mechanism and thus reduces the vibratory motion of the brake pedal. due to movement of the vehicle frame relative to the axle, re suits in an unsatisfactory and erratic action of the brakes; because of the fact that in the case assumed and when the brakes are used wrong side up the upper portions of the bi'alreloands are forced against fixed abutments when the brakes are applied, assuming forward movement of the vehicle, 'with a resulting incomplete and unsatisfactory contact between the brake bands and the brake drums and a chattering oi the brakes when they are forced into engagement with the brake drums.

llVith the end in Viewl of remedying the unsatisfactory matter above referred to the principal object of my invention is to provide brake mechanism wherein the pull rods through which the individual brakes are applied to the respective. brake drums are disposed approximately parallel with, and in substantially the same plane as the lone; side springs employed at the rear end ot the vehicle, andwvherein the rear ends of said rods are connected with the brake applying lever mechanisms Within the area ot the brake drums and as near as practicable to the tube ot housing ot the rear axle of the vehicle and to the stirrups or equivalent members whereby the springs are supported from the axle housing; thus providing an improved brake mechanism wherein the pull rods are disposed beneath the level of the underside ofthe vehicle frame and beneath the various cross members thereof, and an arrangement ofr brake mechanism elements wherein movement of the frame relative to the axle of the vehicle will not result in the communication of vibratory or u'obbling movement to the brakeapplying pedal; the improved brake mechanism being at the same time one in which the brakes are arranged right side up, and in which no grabbing or chattering occurs when the brakes are' applied and a quiet, smooth, and operation of the brakes is secured.

A further object of my invention is' to provide brake mechanism of the class above' referred to and wherein the pull rod through which each brake is applied is connected' Ell ill)

and the projecting parts thereof made o extend in an upward direction, 'thereby se curing an arrangementof.' bralre'inechanisin" which is particuiarly advantageous in inw swung motor vehicles 1n which the frame is practice in the art.

A further object of my invention is io provide brake mechanism wherein the rear end ci the brake applying rod for the brake of each wheel is located yhelow the axle housing, and the mechanism directly con.- eerned with the :forcing of the hralre hand into contact with the brake drum upon a higher ievei and for the mosh part above the level of the axle housing and in which the stresses due to the retarding action of the brake when the vehicle is moving' rorward, as is ordinarily the ease, will he transmitted to the usual fixed abutment whereby rotation of the brake hand is prevented through a, springs, whereby a. yielding and cushioning action. is securec; as distinguished from through non-yielding members in Contact with one another as has heretofore often been the case in brake mechanism having the low pull rod and high disposition oi' the brake hand tightening' features hereinheiore referred to and the securing" of which has necessitated the using of the brake mechanism in an invented' or wrong; side up posit-ion.

A 'further object oi my invcntionis 'to provide in'lproved brake mechanism of the type or ciass above referred to which wili be simple in consruciion and easily accessible for purposes of adjustment or repair7 and which will be reflective for the pu poses for which it is provided and employed.

lilith the above and other objects of invention in view7 my invention consists in the improved brake mechanism illustrated in J[he accompanyinrY drawing' and hereinafter described and iinaily' claimed7 and in such variations and mocilications thereof, withinthe scope of the concluding ciain'is., as will be 'obrious to those skilled in the art to which in 1y invention relates.

in the drawings acoon inp,r a part oi this application and u the preferred embodiment of my invention is iilustrate l Figure i' is a sehei ratio rien? showing my' improvel hrake mechanism as applied to a ven vehicle in which a iow swung frame is secured, and in which the driving is through she springs, as in the Hotchkiss type of drive.

figure 2 is a similiar view showing' my invention as appiied to a vehicle the raine or which is supported ab its rear end hy means 0i cantilever springs, and in. which the drivingw is through a torque tube,

Figure 3 is a. view showing the brake mechanism which is associated with the right-hand or far wheel? referring to Figures l and 2, of a motor driven vehicie in side elevation7 the Supportfor the inner ends of Ithe hralre applying shafts being broken away A {andthe shafts appearing in section. located as low is consistent with Figure' e is a view showing the brake mechanism which is associated with the left `-hander nearvwheei in front elevation, and as see'vrom a position in front of the axle or the vehicle, eertainfportions being broken away to hotter sho-w other eatures'o my invention. if

Figure 5 is a -View showing a section upon a horizontal piane indicated by the line 5.5, Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a :i'ragniensary View showing a section upon a vertical plane indicated by the line 6.6, Figure fi, looking toward the right.

figure 7 is e fragmentary view showing a section upon a vertical plane indicated by the line il?, Figure a, looking to the right.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated7 the reference numeral l0 in Figure l designates the left-hand or near one of the two side members of theframe or a motor vehicle shown conveniently'therein, and which frame members are connected with one another' at suitable places h the usual cross hars not shown; the rear end of said frame being supported from the jrear axle housinsr or axle tube l1 by means of long springs lllocated one upon eachfgside oi the `I"chicle and secured to said housing through suitable shackles one of which is shown in dotted lines, as it is located beyond the brake drum. 13 of the near rear driving wheei indicated by the large dot and dash circle. llhe brake mechanisms for the wo rear driving wheels ere both alike in all essential respects and the one for the near wheel is designated as a whole by the reference numeral lil. rlhe said mechanisms are operated by and through two pull rods the rear ends ci which are connected one with each of said mechanisms, and with the forward ends of whichrods the brake applyina pedal i5 is operatively connectedas through lhe reach rod i6 and suitable eqjializingI mechanism 1 7; 'the near one'oiL said rods being designated by the reference numeral i8 in Figures and 2 and the rods essere for applying the, brake upon. both driving Wheels being designated y the reference numeral 18 in Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, as the brake mechanisms for the two driving wheels are alike inv all essential respects.

In the form o my invention illustrated in Figure l the driving is through -fthe springs 12. ln the form shown in Figure 2, howeveri the driving is through a torque tube 19 extending between the usual universal joint and the rear axle housing or diderential gearing casing; and the rear end of the frame 20 is supported from the rear axle housing through and by means of cantilever springs, the near one of which is designated by the reference numeral 2l.

lt will be appreciated that in'both Figures l and 2 a low hung frame is secured because of the type of spring support employed; the brake applying rods 18 are in both cases disposed beneath the plane of -the under side of the frame, and beneath such cross bars as Iplay be present in the frame and extending between the sides thereof; and that in both cases the movement of the rear end of the fra-me permitted by the vsprings there,- for will cause little or no oscillatory movement of the brake applying pedal 15, because of the fact that the forward ends of bot-h the springs and of the rods are lixedly connected relative to the frame and close vto one another, While the rear ends of said members are connected 'With the axle housing' and with the brake mechanlsms as near together relative to a line extending transverse to the vehicle as practicable. Movement of the axle housing relative to the frame is obviously to all intents and purposes about a center substantially coincident with a transverse line at the forward ends of both the side springs and of the brake applying rods; and such movement, permitted by the springs as will be appreciated, will communicate no or substantially no vibratory movement through the rod 16 and to the brake applying pedal 15 as the frame rises and falls dus to roughness of lthe roadway.

In the following description of my improved brake mechanism Figures 3 to 7 Will be treated' as though they illustrated one and the same bralre mechanism; although strictly speaking Figures 3 and 5 show the brake mechanism associated with the far or right-hand driving wheel, While Figures 4, 6 and 7 show the brake mechanism associated with the near or left-hand Wheel, referringto Figures 1 and 2. Both brake mechanisms are ali/lie, however, in all essential particulars; although certain unsymmetrical elements thereof have to be made as rights and lefts, such, for example, as the brake applying levers whereby the external'brake bands are made to engage their respective brake drums, as will hereinafter more fully and at length appear.v

oscillating The rear driving Wheels indicated by the dotand dash lines in Figures 1 and 2 are driven through axles 22 within the axle housing l1; and the brake drums 13` are secured in any Way to the rear wheels, the hub of one of which is indicated at 23, in any Way so as to rotate with the Wheels as is usual in motor vehicles.

Supported from the rear axle housing is a spider 2li having a forwardly extending and relatively stationary arm or support 25 from which the mechanism whereby the external brake band is forced into contact with the periphery of the brake drum 13 is supported in :trout of the said axle housing, my improved brake vmechanism being illustrated as used in connection with an external brake only, although various of the features thereof are equally applicable to internal brakes for operating the same; the brake band being designated by the reference numeral 26 and the same being commonly rovided with a suitable brake lining 27 W of the bralredrum. The brake band is stationary relative to the bra-ke drum and extends about the same, and the free ends thereof lie in front ofthe axle housing and of the brake drum, as shown; While the rear central portion of said brake band is equipped with a bracket 28 having an internal recess or slot into which a pin 29 which is carried by a rearwardly extending arm 30 of the spider 24 extends. The reference numeral' 31 designates a spring acting between said pin and an internal shoulder 32 of the bracket to thereby keep the rear half of the bra-lie band-out of con taot'vith the brake drum when the brake is not in use; and the upper and lower sides of the brake band are stcadied by arms secured to the said parts and the inwardly extending ends of which are slidable in guides 34 carried by a plate 35 which is secured to the spider 24, and serves to close the open end of the brake drum Within wlhich internal brake mechanism of any suitable form is commonly located.

The reference numeral 36 designated an brake applying shaft the outer end of which is supported in a bearing pro vided in the support '25, and the inner end in a bearing provided in a pedestal 37 which is carried by the axle housing; and 38 designates an operating arm secured to said shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, and to the lower free end of which the rear end or a pull rod 18 is pivotally connected. The brakes upon the two rear Wheels are operated from the drivers seat when the brakes are to be applied through the pull rods 18 of the brake mechanisms associated, respectively, with the two rear wheels; suitablel equaliaing mechanism being commonly interposed in the brake. applying mechanism ich contacts with the periphery l isms, aS above oxpiainod and as is usuz i 'ing through holo "L ho in order 23o Soouio a simili@ no tion of tho makes :md if, Subs' iismiy of i" reardmg action of the -two bako me motor vehicio biaking domi, s. The fr-fm is Shown. as Rot-od upon by L Spring which. operates in conjunction with the, 5H above oi'oired to hold he brake. Abznji out of ongagomoiif with the poiipho-y o brake chum when no brzif i The free @mls of' the brillo bano 1 vided Wih biacko 410, 4&1, and 42 o, o boi' broke applx iovo' piwuoiiL porod 'at i2-3 botweon tho arms im abi@ bi'mcatori S'lqvvpoiimr mombe ing :in upwadly oxiondiii Shank Woioi'. extends through n holo in loomed above the Joint o ivomv n .p t, 4o, and which abutment 1s isoi au the 'free forward ond Y of the heoinbofoxo ifoerroi "ao, Said sim.. bm 'kot upper o* tho two owfm ''foo @md5 brake band and 'hm/iin@ a tim ado?, o vided with o, ving :out o8. A sgring i'ouncs the shank 45 and moo jzwoon fino a'bumont 4&6 and 311e und@ sido the biaokoii 4i; and iliovemenf; of' 'iiho ,wvvoting member l upWai, duo to The oo ,i Y Spring 9, is prevented by Buis 56 mijnwsfoie upon 1. thoadod. poi'tion at Lim ond of the shank lo? ami which nuto oV the unda side of ie bmmani; The io'woimos: and sho'er of; iii of the kvm? vhioh is itsopivoa no ii'. nvm endo "oviciofi A.io pivotaiy supporto@ zii' 5J b1-om support :5,5 is im upwardly @mondi i5 o zipjpiiod through downwardly one 'modulo' arm 56, seo .Figure 6, the owoi emol if which is opoiaivoiy connected with the iovol" ihlougn a pail' of links 57 the (md5 of iid?. are, p'votziiy connected, espeof tively, wirh said arm and said lever,

he reforme@ numerals 58 mid 5S designate on osciiiatiiig shoift and im opoming arm 'taooor similar Eso ho shaft i'am wm 'which elements are used io opel'oto bz'mking eiomons ,iooatod Within the brake duim and acting, against 'ho ii'itoi'ior of the paiiphoiy horooii, which domenico, how. over, .are not Shown fis their paricuar ohalactoriss os form no pait of the ilivonionto which this present application remos.,

Jn odjusmbio oop screw (50, soo Figuro 7, extends hougi a iuoado [ming in io'opoi'a'ving arm 38 and abuis against die niomzii brake ppig/'ing' simil@ o8 to iiiooby imi; -io movement of Said 5.27m and, as noossaiiy oliowe, iio movement of cho uopo? and of the arm 52 to the ht and 'ho position assumed by the lowf bracket 0 when the "Drake band is the brake nimm, whiio the` oib jposiion of the uppow most biffioket fil may be adjusmbly doo minimi. by ,moans of die 'wing nut 48; these adjusnonss boing; provfoci 'to Secura a uniform somo botweon sho iiorio'i of the biziko band. and. the criterio? oi" 'Hilo dium. when ik@ brake is off, and ooiSequ-en subsantiaiiy simuzuioous Contact between said Meme-nts throughout their omini@ ement when the brake band is tisghienod and made io .I 'usp the drum, as wiii be understood.

in *View of tho promises i Wiii bo approoiu'od ibut movement t'ansmitoi io ho mechanism through rofl 'i8 by a movement of said i'oc so the viii, o1 'io'ivmdiyg wii'i conu'ai; the brok@ mui :md causo it to grip o peiiphoiy of Lho brake drum 13; weroupon tho mov@- iiioii of the which wii be iomidef, amd wiii bo coumiunioood to Uno brake imiuf which will tomi o rotaie ii; bofiy in Sadi rotary movement of 'tho bz'ako band,

howover, wii4 bo provento@ by the pin 29 iocucd :it the may porion o? the brok@ band; while bho foices cti'nggot the roo 'im'- Ward ends of the band, both he' 'o'rcos du@ to the, poil upon the brake bandoransmiivod hirmizffh the bimko a'ppiying; iwi" and iii@ iox'oes duo to the rsarding action of tho iii-nim, xviii tlmismittooi 'to the fixe?, abutmon through abo sspling mechanism is thus povidofi in wi'iioh the For-cos iff'esniito to iionako band in inp; 'ho bmi@ on i'io mio imid, mi (im: Lo lim; a'sion 'ioieo'f upoo, tho other, i .Lo'oif' ressiozod 'by spacing' 49;

` airing l of filo brak@ the Tomko Lippi?- position of the brake ineens? which is met with in brakes wherein the rctarding action results in the forcing of the operating or brake applying lever thereof against a fixed and non-yielding abutment, as is the case if and when the brake mechanism is used wrong side up to secure a disoperating rod beneath the frame of the vehicle.

Thus further movement of the brake applying lever 42 after the brake band contacts with the brake drum compresses the spring 49, and results in an application of the brake through force transmitted through the said spring; while the force tending to rotate the band as the motion of the vehicle is retarded is transmitted to the fixed abutment 4G through the bracket 41 and the spring 49, directly, as regards the upper free forward end of the brake band; and also indirectly through the lever 42, the supporting member 44, the shank 45 thereof, the bracket 41 and the said spring 49 as regards the lower free forward end of the said band. y

Having thus described and explained my invention, I claim a d desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In brake mechanism ofthe class described and in combination with a rear axle housing, a rotatable brake drum, and a brake band extending about said drum and the free ends of which lie in front thereof; two h brackets secured one to each of the free ends of said brake band; a relatively stationary support extending forwardly from the axle housing; an upwardly extending lever the i lower end of which is pivotally connected with said support; an oscillating brake applying shaft located in front of saidv axle housing and one end of which is supported in a bearing provided in said support, and which shaft is operatively connected with said lever; a downwardly extending operating arm carried by said shaft; an abutment carried by the forwardly extending support aforesaid; a supporting member having a shoulder abutting against 'said abutment, and a threaded shank extending upwardly through a hole in said abutment and through a hole in the bracket upon the upper of the free ends of said brake band; a spring surrounding said shank and acting between said abutment and said upper bracket; a brake applying lever pivotally supported by said supporting member and which lever is .pivotally connected with the bracket upon the lower of the free ends of said brake band and is provided with an upwardly extending arm; and a link extending between the upper ends of said two levers and through which motion is communcad from one of them to the other.

2. In brake mechanism of the class described andin combination with a rear axle housing, a rotatable brake drum,y and a brake band extending about said drum and the :tree ends of which lie in front thereof and ol' the axle housing; a relatively stationary support extending forwardly from the axle housing; an upwardly extending lever the lower end of which is pivotally connected with said support; an oscillating brake applying shaft located in iront of said axle housing and one end of which is supported in a bearing provided iu said support, and which shaft is operatively connected with said lever; a downwardly eX- tending operating arm carried by said shaft; a supporting member yieidably supported from the support aforesaid; a broke applyf' ing lever pivotallysupported by said supporting member, and which lever is opera tively connected with the lower o the free ends of said braltcv band and is provided with an upwardly extending arm; and a link extending between the upper end of .said two levers and through which motion other.

3. In brake 'mechanism of the class described and in combination with a rear axle housing, a rotatable brake drum, and a brake band extending about Asaid drum and the is communicated from one of them to the free ends of which lie in front thereof and of the axle housing; a relatively stationary support extending forwardly from the axle ousing; an upwardly extending lever the lower end of which ispivotally connected with said support; an oscillating brake applying shaft located in front of the axle iousing and one end ci which vis supported in a bearing provided in said support, and which shaft is operatively connected with said lever; a downwardly extending operating arm carried by said shaft; a brake a plying lever -pivotally supported from'tne support aforesaid, and which lever is oper Mib ier

atively connected with the lower of the free ends of said brake band and is provided with an upwardly extending arm; and a link extending between the upper ends of said two levers and through which motion is communicated from one of them to the other.

4. in brake mechanism of the class de scribed and in combination with a rear ao housing, a rotatable brake drum, and a brakehand extending about said drum and the free ends oi which lie in front thereof and of the axle housing; a. relatively/fstationary support located in front of the axle housing; an upwardly extending lever the lower end of which is pivotally connected with said support; an oscillating brake applying shaft one end of which is supported in a bearing provided in'said support, and which shaft is operatively connected with said leverso as to communicate `motiou thereto; an operating arm carried by said shaft; a brake applying lever pivotally suppolied fir-om the support dore-seid, which leveris operative@ eonneolzegl J the loweifoi t which metloi is coi'linlumoeed from one of elle 'oWei emi, of Wliieli. ie

edi wif/lr. seid. suppose; en i 5. lllii e biale mechanism of the Clase eeribecl amd in combination xvi-i. e 'rotetel bi'eke duim, and e bleke oene'lexem about seid drum; a ie'letivel'y s suppoe; upwardly" extending le lower end of which is piveelly comme' with seid support; en oscillating plying slief'. end of which is smipoi'ef' in e bearing provided in sv--fifi supper, enel whieli shaft is opemiv'ely connected with said level' so as to communicate motion thereto; a 'downWei-dly exi/ending operating arm carried bysei. slie'o; e belie apply ing level' pivotelly supported from the support aforesaid, emi which lever .is opera- Lively connected with elle lower of 'Hee free ends of seid brake bami and is pi'ovile. with an upw .idly exending erm; enel. e .link extending between the lippe? ends of said .two levers and through which motion is communicated lom one ol them to the other.

6. ln brake mechanism of the dass fle-- scribed and in combination with si reel* axle housing, e rotatable loyale@ drum, 'brake luenl extending abou seid drum miel. ille free ends of which lie 'iff-ont lieeo' emi o the axle housing; e, releivelj; eeaionzug.' euppor, located in from o' alle axle liouei vein upwardly extening lever the lewe/1" e" e. ef which is pivomlly conneeed Wilzh seul support; im oseilieiing brel/:e eppy simile one end which is euppoied in e, lileeging provided in seid suppoif; en opeieiiigg erin carried by seid :i see-ond :w1 eexirieel by seid brake a* b T shaft; ink oonmeeting seid hiel: memfmed zum and seid, level' and eliough wille' otion comme niceed to seid lefe; a. linke applying leve? piv'otully sup'gmied rom elle suppol;eifoe Seid, and which level" is opeiebively connected with the of elle 'free ends of seid brake band am?. is 'provided 'willi an Werdly extending erm; and e llink et ding beweei the upper ends seid mm levers and tliougli 'ii/'birch ii'iolon commu.- nicetefl 'iom one ef ehem 'lo i; other,

7. 'n brake mechanism lle eines le scribed and 'in combination 'with e axle housing, e, rotatable lo'elie lum, :wel e lireke pend extending about seid umm and the 'free ends of which lie in 'hom berem amd of me axle housing; e fely e ilo-new suppo' (amending fom by epi'yiiig elif/ift; elink conA iecingseid ,lest mentioned erm 'en'f vseid lever @nel limugli which motion is eemmimi seid lever; e brake applying level plvomllysuppotefl from @ne suppot exime saith Cl Wliieli lever is operatively eolmeeb ed with the. lower of 'the free endsA of seid we ifdly extenilig; eem; end linkexeiiling eV Ween the Ui eiemls of seid. tivo levees enel '-hougl'l 'weich motioii'ie Communicated om elle of there ioile other.,

L bleke mechanism' the @less deseiibed amd in combineion with e. rear axle lieiisiiig? e rol-elzeb-le brake drum, and e, 4bleke bend extending about seid. drum; relatively ster'aiom ysuppor: emeiiding from seifl'mzlehousing; en upwardly amending level* the lower end oli? which is pivoelly eonneeed with Seial suppo't; en oscillating brake applying' she-Et one end olf which is suo orteil in e beeii'in' rovided in seid silo-- port; e dewiiwerflly amending opeating e1-m ce1-'fied by seid shale; seoonc'l emi ce iied by seid brake epplyiiig slmt; :i4 link connecting seid lest mentioned erm eind seid lever end tliougli which metion is eemmimieeed, Seid lever; loele applying leveif 'pvotelly soopoecl Efo-m 'Lisle support and ich lever ,is o' eooneeed wh die lower' of the l'ree ens of lm *el and is; pzovied with en upwardly eziemliiig erm; and e link extendbetween izhe upper emls of Wo s and which motion is comimmicaee om one of? einem to elle other.

i?. n lamine meelienism o lie @less described and in combi 'ion vili e ieef axle housing nel n, eta'zelile brake (l-um; e sie@ zioneify suppoi ee'rieel by seid housing and exei'iflixig to oise Sife tlxe'feof; two oseiL 'lm/lng; brake applying shafts associated one 'meh e brake oie/mbe? eoofgemting Wih lie eilte?? and the oliei' Wih e. vorele meii'xbei cooperating with 'ehe inner surfaees of Seifl make fuma md lie outer ends of which sizrs sugmoitecl in loemings provied support; means earned by the axle lioo foi: sxgipocmg the inner ende of Elli @lll

ber cooperating with the ontei` and the other With a brake member cooperating1 with the inner surfaces of said brake drum, and the outer ends of ivhich shafts are supported in bearings provided in said support; means for Supporting the inner ends of said shafts; an arm carried by one of said shafts; and a screw extending through a threaded passageway provided in 4said arm, and the free end of which engages the other of said shafts., I

l1. in brake mechanism of the class described and in combination with a motor" vehicle having a rear driving axle, and a frame supported from said axle through side springs extending longitudinally of 'the vehicle; a rotatable brake drum concentric with said rear axle; a non-rotatable brake member; means associated with said brake memberfor forcing the same into engagement with said brake drum; and a brake rod the rear end of which is operatively connected with said brake forcing means and the forward end of which is connected With a brake applying member at a point in Subtantial transverse alignment with the points of connection between the 'forward ends of said side springs and said frame.

12. In brake mechanism of the class described and in combination with a motor -vehicle having a rear driving axle, and a frame supported from said axle through side springs extending longitudinally of the vehicle; a rotatablevbrake drum concentric with said rear axle; a non-rotatable 'brake member; means associated with said brake member for forcing the same into engagement with said brake drum; a brake rod the rear end o' which is operatively connected with 'said brake forcing means and the Jforward end of which is connected With a brake applying member at a point in substantial transverse alignment with the points of connection betvveenv the forward ends of said side springs and said frame, and which rod extends substantially parallel with said side springs; and a brake operating lever operatively connected with said rod.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature. 

